Before you start: this is Lesson 128. It uses only sounds already taught in Lessons 1–127. If they have not done those yet it will feel too hard — ask their teacher where to start.
1. Say the practice words on the words page, then the heart words. A heart word has one part that cannot be sounded out — the little heart marks the bit to just remember.
2. Read the story on the next page. If they get stuck, don’t say the word. Point under the letters and say: “Say each sound, then say them fast” — “mmm – aaa – p … map!”
3. Read it three times — they color a circle each time.
4. They draw what happened, on the top half of the next page. No picture to copy — their drawing is how you see what they understood.
5. They write one sentence, on the lines under their drawing. The sentence to read aloud is in the box below.
“That was a big sadness for Rosa.”
Once at normal speed, once slowly, and have them say it back before they write. If they get stuck on a word, say its sounds together — don’t spell it letter by letter.
Practice, not a test — don’t mark it wrong. If a word is misspelled, read it back exactly as they wrote it and let them hear the difference.
A wrong word, or a guess? Don’t say “no” — point at the word: “Try that one again — say each sound.” Fixing it themselves is the win.
Sounded it out twice, still stuck? Tell them the word and carry on. A few told words do no harm.
Stuck on nearly every line, or fed up? Stop — that is fine. Try an easier lesson, or this one tomorrow. Five happy minutes beat twenty cross ones.
1. Where did Rosa find the pup?
In the yard by the fence, wet and cold in the rain. The first four lines help.
2. What did Rosa try before she made the sign?
She knocked at each house on her road, but no one had lost a pup.
3. Would you have taken the reward? Why?
There is no right answer here. Listen for a reason that fits the story.
Checked word by word: all 196 words in this story use only sounds taught by Lesson 128, plus heart words already learned. Nothing here needs guessing.
Heart words — read each one, then check the box.
The story is on the next page →
Rosa was in the yard when the rain came. She ran for the shed to get out of it. Then she heard a small sound by the fence. A pup sat there, wet and cold in the grass. It had no tag on and it was thin. Rosa took it in and got it dry. She fed it and it went to sleep on the rug. "That was kindness," said her mom. Rosa was hopeful the pup had a home. First she went to each house on her road. She knocked at each door, but no one had lost a pup. That was a big sadness for Rosa. Then she had a helpful plan of her own. Rosa made a sign with a big red pup on it. Dad helped her tape it to the pole by the shop. The next day a girl came up the path. She was thankful and her eyes went wide. "That is my pup, Sam!" she yelled. Sam ran to her and jumped up. She held out a reward, but Rosa said no. "Just come back to play," said Rosa. Now Rosa and Sam play in the yard each week.
Read it again if you need to. Then draw what happened.
Your grown-up will say one sentence from the story. Say it back, then write it.